Article carrier

ABSTRACT

An article carrier is disclosed having a bottom wall, sidewalls foldably joined to the side edges of the bottom wall, end wall panels foldably joined to the end edges of the sidewalls and extending inwardly therefrom, medial partition structure including medial panels joined to the end walls at the ends of the carrier to form a medial partition and a handle together with transverse partition panels interconnected between the medial panel structure and the sidewalls to form substantially full depth transverse partitions.

United States Patent Inventor Homer W. Forrer Jonesboro, Ga. Appl. No. 801,259 Filed Feb. 24, 1969 Patented Mar. 30, 1971 Assignee The Mead Corporation ARTICLE CARRIER 3 Claims, 8 Drawing Figs.

[15. Cl 220/113, 220/115, 229/52 Int. Cl..' B65d 5/46, B65d 5/48 Field of Search 220/1 13, H4, 1 15; 229/52 (B) [5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,443,723 5/l969 Ameson 220/1 13 3,487,975 l/l970 Riddell 220/1 13 Primary Examiner-David M. Bockenek Att0rney-Walter M. Rodgers ABSTRACT: An article carrier is disclosed having a bottom wall, sidewalls foldably joined to the side edges of the bottom wall, end wall panels foldably joined to the end edges of the sidewalls and extending inwardly therefrom, medial partition structure including media] panels joined to the end walls at the ends of the carrier to form a medial partition and a handle together with transverse partition panels interconnected between the medial panel structure and the sidewalls to form substantially full depth transverse partitions.

Patented March 30, 1971 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 f5 INVENTOR. f HOMR k/f'dPKE? ATTO/ZIUE) Patented March 30, 1971 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. HOMER M FORRER ATTOE/k/[Y Patented March 30, 1971 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 I NVEN TOR. Mont/2 M meet/2 A TT'OE AJ 5 y Patented March 30, 1971 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

INVENTOR. HOMER M P049165"? A 7'1'0 I? ME ARTICLE CARRIER According to this invention a carrier which affords ad vantages of both the strap-style and full-depth type carrier is provided wherein medial partition panels are foldably joined to the end wall panels at one end of the carrier and extend medially of the carrier and from which transverse partitioning panels are struck and secured to the sidewalls either by flue flaps or by means of securement to a transvers strap partition. According to a feature of the invention, economy of material is efiected by striking auxiliary partition structure from the medial partition structure, such auxiliary partitioning structure comprising a medial partition panel folded downwardly along a substantially horizontal fold line and a transvers partition panel folded outwardly along a substantially vertical fold line interconnecting the medial partition panel and the transverse partition panel.

For a better understanding of the invention reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. I is a perspective view of a finished carrier constructed according to this invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a unitary blank from which the carrier of FIG. I is formed according to the invention; and

FIGS. 3, i, 5, 6, 7 and 8 depict folding and gluing operations through which the blank of FIG. 2 is manipulated in order to form a complete collapsed carrier as depicted in FIG. 8.

In the drawings the numeral ll designates a sidewall to the bottom edge 2 of which a glue flap 3 isfoldably joined. End wall panels 4 and 5 are foldably joined to sidewall I along fold lines 6 and 7 respectively. Medial panel generally designated by the numeral 8 is foldably joined to end wall panel 4 along a fold line 9 and a riser panel 10 is foldably joined to end wall panel 5 along fold line ll. Exterior handle panel 12 is foldably joined to medial panel 8 along fold line 9 and is provided with a hand-gripping aperture 13 and a hand-gripping flap 14 which is of conventional construction. An interior handle panel 115 is foldably joined along the end edge 16 of exterior handle panel 12. A partition strap 17 is foldably joined to sidewall I along fold line l8 and to exterior handle panel I2 along fold line 19. In similar fashion a partition strap 20 is foldably joined to sidewall I along fold line 21 and to interior handle panel I5 along fold line 22.

The other side of the carrier is generally similar to that just described and comprises an exterior handle panel 23 foldably joined to handle panel 12 along medial fold line 24. Handgripping aperture 25 having hand-gripping flap 26 is formed in exterior handle panel 23. Interior handle panel 27 is foldably joined to the end edge 23 of exterior handle panel 23. A medial panel structure generally designated by the numeral 29 is foldably joined along fold line 30 to the end edge of exterior handle panel 23 and riser panel 31 is foldably joined to riser panel Ill along medial fold line 32. Partitioning strap 33 is foldably joined to handle panel 23 along fold line 34 and to sidewall 35 along fold line 36. Similarly partition strap 37 is foldably joined to handle panel 27 along fold line 38 and to sidewall 35 along fold line 39. End wall 'panels 40 and 41 are foldably joined to the end edges 42 and 43 of sidewall 35. End wall panel as is foldably joined to medial panel 29 along fold line 3i) and end wall panel 4]! is foldably joined to riser panel 31 along fold line 44. Bottom wall 45 is foldably joined to sidewall 35 along its bottom edge 46 and is provided with a medial fold line 47 at the ends of which a pair of notches 48 and 39 are formed.

Medial panel 3 is provided with a hand-gripping aperture 50 and is foldably joined along the top edge 51 thereof to medial panel 29. A transverse panel 52 is struck from medial panel 8 and is foldably adjoined thereto along fold line 53 while transverse panel El is struck from media! panel 8 and foldably joined thereto along fold line 55. Medial keel panel 56 is foldably joined to medial panel 8 along fold lines 57, 57A and 57B. Transverse panel 3B is foldably joined to medial panel 8 to 3D and 6C.

0n the other side of the carrier the medial panel 29 comprises transverse panel 60 which is struck therefrom and foldably joined thereto along fold line 6i together with trans verse panel 62 which is foldably joined to medial panel 29 along fold line 63. A glue flap 64 is foldably joinerrl to transverse panel 62 along fold line 65.

According to this invention auxiliary partition structure is struck from medial panels 8 and 29 and comprises medial par tition panel 66 foldably joined to medial panel 29 along a fold line 67 together with transverse partition panel 68 foldably joined to medial partition panel 66 along vertical folil line 69.

For engaging and cooperating with either or both of the locking notches 48 and 49. locking notches 70-73 are formed respectively in medial panels 8, riser panel l0, medial panel 29 and riser panel 31 in a manner well known in the art.

The first step in the formation of the carrier depicted in FIG. I from the blank depicted in FIG. 2 constitutes downward folding of medial partition panel 66 along the fold line 67 to a position underneath the medial panel 29 as shown in FIG. 3. Of course this folding operation causes the transverse partition panel 68 to swing downwardly and to occupy the position depicted in FIG. 3. It will he understood that an application of glue is made to the underneath surface of medial partition panel 66 so as to cause that panel to adhere to the underneath surface of medial panel 29.

With the parts occupying the positions depicted in FIG. 3 an application of glue is made as indicated by stippling in FIG. 3 to the interior surfaces of handle panels 12 and 23 and to certain portions of medial panels 8 and 29. Thereafter medial panels 3 and 29 are structure associated therewith are swung upwardly and toward the right along fold lines 9 and 30 so that upon completion of this folding operation the blank appears as depicted in FIG. 4. This folding operation causes the medial panels 8 and 29 to adhere to the inner surfaces of outer handle panels 12 and 23 respectively and also causes the glue flaps SB and 64 to adhere to the sidewalls I and 35 respectively. In addition the upper portion 52A of transverse panel 52 becomes adhered to strap 17 and the upper portion of transverse panel designated at 60A becomes adhered to strap 33.

With the parts occupying the positions depicted in FIG. 4. an application of glue is made to the interior handle panels I5 and 27 and to the inner surface of exterior handle panels I2 and 23 nd to the exposed portions of medial panels 8 and 29. Simultaneously an application of glue is made to the straps 20 and 37. Thereafter the interior handle panels l5 and 27 are elevated and swung toward the left along the fold lines 16 and 28 to occupy positions of flat face contacting relationship to the outer handle panels l2 and 23 and structure associated therewith. This folding operation also causes the straps 20 and 37 to swing upwardly and toward the left about the fold lines 21 and 39 respectively as hinges. Upon completion of this fold, the strap20 is adhered to the area 8A of transverse panel 83 which is foldably joined to medial panel 8 along fold lines 8C and 8D so that strap 20 becomes secured to the upper portion 8A of transverse panel 83. Simultaneously strap 37 swings upwardly and toward the left along fold line 39 and becomes adhered to the upper part 63A of transverse partition panel 68. Upon completion of this folding operation, the parts appear as indicated in FIG. 5.

With the parts occupying the positions depicted in FIG. 5, an application of glue is made to the upper portions of riser panels 10 and 3H as indicated by stippling and to the exposed areas of inner handle panels 15 and 27. Thereafter end wall panels 5 and ll are elevated and swung toward the left about the fold lines 7 and 13 respectively and upon completion of this folding operation the blank appears as depicted in FIG. 6.

With the blank parts occupying the positions depicted in FIG. 6, an application of glue is made to the keel 56 and to the adjacent parts of medial panel 3 as indicated by stippling. Thereafter keel panel 56 is folded downwardly along the fold lines 57, 57A and 378 to occupy the positions depicted in FIG. 7 and simultaneously the bottom panel is folded on itself along the medial fold line 47 to occupy the position depicted in FIG. 7.

With the parts occupying the positions depicted in FIG. 7 an application of glue is made to the medial panels 8, 29, the interior handle panels 15, 27, the riser panels 10 and 31 to the glue flap 3 and the edge of bottom panels 45 as indicated by stippling in FIG. 7. Thereafter sidewall land parts associated therewith above the medial fold lines 24 and I are elevated and folded forwardly and downwardly to occupy the positions depicted in FIG. 8. FIG. 8, of course, represents the completed carrier in collapsed condition.

In order to setup the carrier of FIG. 8 the end panels 4 and 40 are simply held against movement toward the left and a force is applied to the right-hand edges of sidewalls 35 and 1 respectively to cause the locking notches 48 and 49 to engage the locking notches 70, 71, 72 and 73 as is well known in the art.

From the above description it is apparent that the handle structure is of multipaneled construction and that the auxiliary medial partition panel 66 and the transverse partition panel 68 are derived from parts of the blank which would otherwise constitute waste or which would add undesired material to the handle. Furthermore, a carrier having full depth partitions is provided using little, if any, more material than is required for strap style carriers.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

Iclaim:

1. An article carrier comprising a bottom wall, sidewalls foldably joined to the side edges of said bottom wall, end wall panels foldably joined to the end edges of said sidewalls and extending inwardly therefrom, medial partition structure including medial panels foldably joined to said end wall panels at one end of the carrier along the edges thereof remote from said sidewalls, and auxiliary partition structure struck from said medial partition structure, said auxiliary partition structure including a medial partition paneI folded into general coincidence therewith and a transverse partition panel normally disposed in transverse relation to said medial partition panel and constituting at least a portion of a wall between adjacent cells of the carrier on one side of said medial partition structure, a transverse partitioning strap foldably joined to one of said sidewalls at one end and to said medial partition structure at the other end. and said transverse partition panel being secured in flat face contacting relation to said strap.

2. A carrier according to claim I wherein said medial partition panel and said transverse partition panel are foldably joined together along a substantially vertical fold line which is in general coincidence with the fold line between said strap and said medial partition structure.

3. An article carrier comprising a bottom wall, sidewalls foldably joined to the side edges of said bottom wall, end wall panels foldably joined to the end edges of said sidewalls and extending inwardly therefrom, medial partition structure including medial panels foldably joined to said end wall panels at one end of the carrier along the edges thereof remote from said sidewalls, a plurality of transverse partitioning straps foldably joined to one of said sidewalls at one end and to said medial partitioning structure at the other end. auxiliary partition structure struck from said medial partition structure said auxiliary partition structure including a medial partition panel folded into general coincidence therewith and a transverse partition panel normally disposed in transverse relation to said medial partition panel and secured in flat face contacting relation to one of said partitioning straps, and a transverse panel struck from one of said medial panels and secured in flat face contacting relation to another of said partitioning straps, said medial panels being foldably joined to each other along their top edges and disposed in flat face contacting relation to each other and said auxiliary partition structure being struck from both of said medial panels. 

1. An article carrier comprising a bottom wall, sidewalls foldably joined to the side edges of said bottom wall, end wall panels foldably joined to the end edges of said sidewalls and extending inwardly therefrom, medial partition structure including medial panels foldably joined to said end wall panels at one end of the carrier along the edges thereof remote from said sidewalls, and auxiliary partition structure struck from said medial partition structure, said auxiliary partition structure including a medial partition panel folded into general coincidence therewith and a transverse partition panel normally disposed in transverse relation to said medial partition panel and constituting at least a portion of a wall between adjacent cells of the carrier on one side of said medial partition structure, a transverse partitioning strap foldably joined to one of said sidewalls at one end and to said medial partition structure at the other end, and said transverse partition panel being secured in flat facE contacting relation to said strap.
 2. A carrier according to claim 1 wherein said medial partition panel and said transverse partition panel are foldably joined together along a substantially vertical fold line which is in general coincidence with the fold line between said strap and said medial partition structure.
 3. An article carrier comprising a bottom wall, sidewalls foldably joined to the side edges of said bottom wall, end wall panels foldably joined to the end edges of said sidewalls and extending inwardly therefrom, medial partition structure including medial panels foldably joined to said end wall panels at one end of the carrier along the edges thereof remote from said sidewalls, a plurality of transverse partitioning straps foldably joined to one of said sidewalls at one end and to said medial partitioning structure at the other end, auxiliary partition structure struck from said medial partition structure said auxiliary partition structure including a medial partition panel folded into general coincidence therewith and a transverse partition panel normally disposed in transverse relation to said medial partition panel and secured in flat face contacting relation to one of said partitioning straps, and a transverse panel struck from one of said medial panels and secured in flat face contacting relation to another of said partitioning straps, said medial panels being foldably joined to each other along their top edges and disposed in flat face contacting relation to each other and said auxiliary partition structure being struck from both of said medial panels. 